EPL 2020/21 - Game Week 30

It has been a good break. The international break for the World Cup qualifiers threw up a few surprises and a shift from the usual results which is a welcome surprise. Portugal could only beat Azerbaijan 1-0, Turkey stunned the Netherlands 4-2, Cyprus held Slovakia 0-0 and had beaten Slovenia 1-0, Slovenia had beaten Croatia 1-0, Spain were held 0-0 by Greece, Turks and Caicos lost 0-7 to Nicaragua (where the hell is Turks and Caicos?), St. Kitts and Nevis won 4-0 away to Bahamas and do you know where is St. Kitts and Nevis? There are no regular reports on Covid situation on Turks and Caicos and St. Kitts and Nevis so maybe we should run there. Regular bashing boys Luxembourg won 1-0 away to Ireland which is a shock to me how much they must have improved or how far Ireland has fallen maybe both. Turkey proved themselves by beating Norway 3-0 away and even the great goal scorer Erling Braut Haaland fired blanks in Norway's games. Spain needed a late late goal to win 2-1 at Georgia. Israel held Scotland 1-1 and won 4-1 against Moldova. Germany struggled to win 1-0 at Romania, Japan visited Mongolia and scored a record haul 14-0. Canada almost emulated Japan with an away 11-0 win over the Cayman Islands., Belgium hit Belarus for 8-0, Netherlands won 7-0 at Gibraltar, Armenia won 3-2 versus Romania and a big shocker Germany lost 1-2 to North Macedonia! Small teams have hope. Singapore 2034? Nah. Better start with the SEA Games. Or at least go learn from Iceland. 

Back to the domestic league, some teams are happy for this much needed break and some teams may not be too happy if players are injured during the course of action. Not too many games left for every team to make the most of the season.

Chelsea v WBA - Chelsea have been very good and remain unbeaten under Tuchel. They have even brushed aside Spanish leader Athletico Madrid over two legs having won both games 1-0 away and 2-0 at home which is quit a feat. Many used to say the Mason Mount was Frank Lampard's pet but now he has been a regular feature for Tuchel and has been outstanding for his club and even his country being and has just scored for England again and he is only 22. Chelsea come into this game 10 match unbeaten with 5 clean sheets. The force is with them but the Baggies have this season held Liverpool and City. So beware as they fight their relegation battle but the Blues have not conceded in 7 matches and WBA have only scored twice in as many games. A routine win with another clean sheet is on the cards. 2-0.

Leeds Sheffield United -  Sheffield United have not scored or gotten a point in their last 4 away games. The Blades can be very competitive but still lost. That has been their story for the season. Leeds forward Patrick Bamford unfortunately missed out on a England call up but this should benefit Leeds. I am backing him to score here. 2-0.

Leicester v Manchester City - City are still on four fronts and quite easily negotiated past Borussia Moenchengladbach winning both ties 2-0. Another 2-0 win over Everton in the F.A Cup confirmed what we already know about their superiority. The Foxes won the reverse fixture earlier this season with a thumping 5-2 victory that is till today only one of three defeats suffered by City. City will have a lot of the ball but Leicester are very dangerous on the break especially with Jamie Vardy. James Maddison may be back to add quality. John Stones silly mistake that gave Poland a goal will haunt him despite making amends with an assist by heading down the ball for Harry Maguire to score the winner over Poland. Jamie Vardy will exploit any situation but it takes a brave man not to back City. 1-2.

Arsenal v Liverpool - The Gunners won 3-1 at Olympiacos but surprising crashed 0-1 in their Europa return tie. It was a close call and they were lucky to have gotten back at West Ham to draw 3-3 even as their fight back was admirable but it needed two own goals by West Ham. Liverpool players featured quite strongly on international duties - Jota had 3 goals in 2 matches for Portugal including a brace against Serbia suggesting his form is hot. Gini Wijnaldum scored too and Salah hit 2 goals but Trent Alexander-Arnold will find extra motivation being surprisingly dropped from the England squad by Gareth Southgate. Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 5 meetings v the Reds. This is a huge game for Liverpool after the break and a tough schedule awaits, next with a Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid. You saw the good, the bad and the ugly with Arsenal's 3-3 draw with West Ham. Liverpool have not won at Arsenal since 2016 but they overcame a strong RB Leipzig in the Champions League 2-0 away and then home and kept a third clean sheet at Wolves. A draw os possible but I take a Liverpool win. 1-2.

Southampton v Burnley - Both are not safe from relegation as yet but have enough quality to stay up. Burnely held Leicester and Arsenal 1-1 then had beaten Everton 2-1 away but the Saints League form have been awful. A draw seems to be on the cards here. 1-1. 

Newcastle v Spurs - The demise of Spurs in the Europa was a shocker to say the least. With a 2-0 lead they crashed 0-3 but did salvage some pride with a 2-0 win at Villa Park. The Magpies had 3 draws before a 3-0 trouncing to Brighton. With Harry Kane registering his 33rd and 34th goal for England in the World Cup qualifiers recently, expect him to continue scoring and providing assists. Will Son return from his injury? Even if he doesn't, Spurs  should still be able to do it. I will be surprise if Spurs do no win this one. 0-2. 

Aston Villa v Fulham - Villa sorely missed their captain and talisman Jack Grealish who should be fit again but may still not play. Villa have not won in 4 matches without him. Fulham's unbeaten run for quite a while ended at City and lost again versus Leeds. Mitrovic will be the danger man as he just scored 5 times for Serbia recently. 1-1.

Manchester United v Brighton - The Red Devils did well enough at the Europa despite a 1-1 draw against Milan having won their away tie 1-0 but getting dumped 1-3 by Leicester City in the F.A. Cup left a sour taste in Solskjear's and their fans' mouth. United have won four in a row against the Seagulls but Brighton have finally started scoring and winning and basically play good football and are on a bit of a high. United despite their inconsistency are good for a win though. Harry Maguire is on a high after scoring a glorious winner against Poland with a stupendous shot like a striker. I won't be surprise if it ends a draw but United are too strong not to win. 2-1.

Everton v Crystal Palace - The Toffees have not lost to Palace for a very long time but Everton can some times be vulnerable. Evidence was there as they have lost their last 3 matches. The Eagles achieved a win over  WBA in their last match. Everton should win this one with Dominic Calvert-Lewin to score. 2-0.

Wolves v West Ham - Wolves are having a disappointing season and in when they both met at the London Stadium, Wolves were soundly spanked 0-4. Jesse Lingard has been a revelation. He was very good at United and good for England and then the long slump but since his loan spell with the Hammers he has scored many goals and provided assists and on the rare occasion he did not he still played very well and won a few MOTM. Of all people, David Moyes has been outstanding and should be a contender for Manager of the Year. The Hammers can win this one but Wolves can be stubborn. 2-2.